A letter from

Sixty-two years ago, excitement rattled throughout the Catholic students on campus at University of Arkansas.

New hope and energy galvanized the faithful to construct St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish as a place to gather as a Catholic campus community. Built on the zeal to evangelize college students and to create a spiritual home away from home for young people launching into lifelong Catholic discipleship and vocation, St. Thomas has stood the test of time. We have a legacy of producing Catholic men and women nurtured by the spirit and formed to set the world on fire for Christ.

Sixty-two years ago, their need was, simply, a building to house Catholic university students. Now, there is a new need. St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish needs a new building to hold the exponential growth and meet the changing demands of our Catholic student population on campus at the University of Arkansas.

Over 500 students come here each Sunday for Mass, overflowing into our student center in Newman Hall. In addition to overflowing Mass attendance, St. Thomas has a vibrant array of student programming, ranging from Bible studies, the Seton Women’s group, Theology on Tap, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA), retreats, mission trips, and catechetical formation groups, all with inadequate space to flourish in the existing facility.

Each week, new students walk through our doors searching for something more, something they cannot find alone on campus. Our eyes seek the true, the good and the beautiful. A new building will not only house our existing students, but it will also attract new students who are desperately searching for something more. In short, the new St. Thomas should be a “Light on the Hill” for University of Arkansas students and welcome all.

We meet students where they are, and we
journey with them on their walk with Christ.
But we cannot do it alone.

We are on this journey toward Sainthood together. Parents, alumni, benefactors, and friends…. we are today’s evangelists! The “Kingdom of Heaven is among us!” (Luke 17:21). It is up to us to build up the kingdom.

It is up to us to lay the foundation for the future, a spiritual home away from home, a hub of evangelization and formation for the next generation.

With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the support of a generous few, we are already well on our way to achieving a significant milestone in the history of St. Thomas: building a new church and student center and expanding ministry to University of Arkansas students.

Please be a part of what we can do together to hand on the faith! Pray for the students and this ministry. Pray for the Church. And join us in the Light on the Hill campaign!